Shipping Axolotl Eggs

Z

ZombieAxolotl

New member
Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Messages
347
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Location
Seattle, WA
Country
United States
Display Name
Katie
I have never shipped the eggs before.

This clutch was laid on java moss and was planning on just leaving the ones i'm mailing attached to go with and keep up some kind of circulation.

I'm sending my business partner a baker's dozen so he can try his hand at hatching them out.

I saw a couple threads about a DVD case? seems a little sketchy and possibly squishable.

I was going to put some eggs + java moss + small amount of water in a screw top plastic bottle, and cut down a poster tube to the size of the bottle. Add some bubble wrap for cushion.

Sound good?

He's also wanting some larvae stage (3 weeks or so), which I also have never shipped before. And have heard they don't ship well?
Would this bottle trick work for them too? add a very few live worms for a food source? I was concerned it might cause to much toxin build up. Any input from you pro shippers would be awesome.
Thanks
 
hey Katie,

i have heard about the DVD case method as well and thought it was a bitt odd. Mainly because they would be out of water, which concerns me a bit, however i THINK they can survive outside of water for a while like frog spawn. I have seen videos of larvae swimming around in an egg on someones hand out of water before, so i think it is possible. The case would provide good protection i think because it is flat and there is not much room for them to slide around.

I have successfully shipped eggs by tying them in 2 plastic sandwich bags with a teeny amout of water and lots of air. I then put it it a plastic container with lots of tissue paper so it didn't rock around, and then covered it with cardbord for posting. I told australia post it was a box of mugs :D

i think it would be a good idea to bag them then put them in the screw top bottle just in case, and make sure there is an air pocket.

I have never been game enough to ship larvae, but i think the process would be the same, just keep in mind they are a lot more delicate.

good luck
 
I know the eggs can be kept just damp for a period of time, but having worked for the post office back in the day when I lived in Alaska, slinging mail I know what it goes through lol I guess if you put the dvd case in a box that would stop it from being squished.

You think a bag in the bottle? because of them touching the bottle? or the bottle possibly cracking?
The bottle i'm using was previously for liquids, food grade. Similar to a gatorade bottle but narrower and thicker plastic.

I know, i'm kinda worried about the larvae, they are very delicate and stress easily.
I think it'll be a wash between adding worms for food so they have a food supply and the worms adding to the bio-load on the small amount of water that will ship with them.
 
Oh if you have any left over you would be willing to part with please let me know? I would love some eggs! :)

I don't think you need a plastic bag in the bottle. if anything wrap the bottle in a plastic bag. would be easier too.
 
Eggs are super easy to ship. I've received them in all sorts of manner: soda bottles, cd cases, etc. Have a look at this article for ideas and pics.

As for larvae, I wouldn't ship them until they at least have back legs. They're pretty fragile between hatching and juvenile status, and shipping can be pretty stressful.

Also, ship as little as possible with the eggs/juvies. Plants will actually use oxygen (rather than manufacture it) when in the dark, so they'll be in direct competition with your axolotls. Food is not necessary; it will just foul the water and compete for oxygen. They can easily survive overnight/2 day journeys without a meal.
 
Nice article. I would have thought to leave some air for them, but I assume no air means less sloshing for the little guys.

I'll prob wait a week then to send these guys until their back leg buds are done growing. I think he would be devestated if he opened up dead axie babies :(

@HappySkittles- I don't have any spare eggs from this clutch. I'm not even sure what it's going to produce so I'm hatching all of them. At the best they will be wildtype het for melanoid, but i'm hoping Fido might carry for melanoid or they both might carry for albino or leucistic, will see. I wasn't even expecting eggs yet, but apparently the water change I did put Fido in the mood :rofl:

I should have some more clutches when the weather gets colder though and i'll post some eggs for sale. I'm planning on at least 4 pairings this year, another wildtype, leucistic, albino, and melanoid.
 
Well no shipping happened.. the little brats decided to start hatching early!!

So next clutch, he is really holding out for my blue/purple melanoids eggs anyhow lol
And an albino baby.

It looks so far like some wildtypes and leucistic, not sure if any are gfp yet.
 
I have been asked to ship some eggs but am not sure what would be the best way. I have only hatched them up to now and then advertised them for sale.

I currently have 5 babies who are 2-3 inches in size and I am looking for homes for them. They are a product of white (female) and gold (male) breeding.

Any extra tips would be great and if anyone wants some babies feel free to contact me.

Jo
:eek:
 
You sound like in the same boat I was in :)

Looks like the best way is screw-top bottle + eggs + plus full to top with tank water + ziplock + packaging. (i'm going to use a poster tube that the bottle will slide into with some bubble wrap around it.

That article kaysie posted is worth reading.
 
If a parent is GFP, at least some of the babies will be -- transgenes are dominant. And I would love a GFP leucistic if there are any!
 
jinian said:
If a parent is GFP, at least some of the babies will be -- transgenes are dominant. And I would love a GFP leucistic if there are any!
Click to expand...

I know... I just don't own a black light lol

I only have 2 GFP's and since you can tell by the eyes I've never bothered with a black light.

I'll let you know if one comes up.
 
Has anyone used the cd/dvd case method before?
 
I've sent T.dobrogicus eggs in a thin cd-case (not the kind you see most of the time) a couple of times and it worked out well, except for one time. Last week I've put them on the mail, but they haven't arrived yet. Was sent from Netherlands to UK. Don't know what went wrong.
 
Cd case us not the best because the egg might get dry out so I think water bottle or air breathed bag is good too with a cold pack or frozen water bottle
 
the original post is 3 years old. they are definitely not having a problem anymore.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top